Iowa State Conference Seeks Vets for Agriculture or Business

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AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University Monday hosted an effort to get military veterans into agriculture and business. The conference called Veterans in Agriculture and Entrepreneurship is designed to help veterans transition from the military.

Senator Joni Ernst gave the keynote speech and said that over 40 percent of those in the military come from rural areas. “It only makes sense to steer them toward agriculture,” said Ernst.

The event was also a trade fair with opportunities to work with the USDA, or the Small Business Administration, among others.

“As part of learning how to return services to our veteran community, we need to create opportunities to hear directly from veterans themselves,” said Jathan Chicoine, Veterans Services Coordinator at Iowa State. It is a unique opportunity for all of us to demonstrate to student veterans the remarkable resources available to them."

The program also featured a panel discussion which included Sen. Ernst, and Major General Tim Orr, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard.